Herbert Macaulay Lecture: Minister applauds engineers for driving national development

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh (SAN) has commended Nigerian Engineers for always being the backbone of national development and key drivers of infrastructure, sustainability and economic growth.

Udeh gave the commendation in Nsukka on Saturday in a keynote address during the 21st Herbert Macaulay Memorial Lecture (HMML), held at the Princess Alexander Auditorium, Hall, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

The Minister who spoke on the theme “Sustainable Engineering Practice for National Development: Innovative Solution and Technological Advancement in an AI Era said that, engineering transforms ideas into tangible solutions that fuel economic growth, social well-being, industrial and national advancement.

“Engineering has always been the backbone of national development, building roads, powering homes, and connecting cities, however in today’s dynamic global landscape engineering must involved beyond concrete and steel.

“It must embrace innovation by harnessing emerging technologies to solve complex challenges, and as such, it must remain people-centered delivering solutions that are inclusive, affordable, and responsive to our unique national context,” he said.

The Minister, who was represented by Dr. Peter Ogbobe, Director General/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Project Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu State, urged engineers in the country to harness immense potential of Artificial Intelligence.

“AI is reshaping agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and education, the task before us is therefore to harness AI responsibly, ensuring that its benefits are inclusive and aligned with our natural development priorities.

“Our ministry has continue to implement strategic initiative aim at strengthening Nigeria’s engineering and innovation ecosystem, particular in the context of AI and other frontiers emerging technologies,” he said.

In a remark, Prof Ikechukwu Ike-Eze, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, UNN said that HMML is a flagship of the faculty, which according to him started by the resolution of the Faculty Board on October 5th, 1968 and its maiden edition was held in 1980 and has since continued.

“Today, we gather not only to celebrate the legacy of Herbert Macaulay the father of Nigerian nationalism and a man of vision, but also to reflect on the role of engineering in shaping the destiny of our nation,” he said.

The dean said the faculty is rich in talent and ideas, but faces infrastructural challenges which according to him limits their ability to nurture and prepare the next generation of engineers.

He listed some of the challenges of the faculty to include; a one storey faculty building that will serve as the dean’s administrative hub and symbol of leadership for the faculty.

Storey buildings for the five departments that would provide modern classrooms, staff offices, laboratory and collaborative spaces for teaching and learning, a 1000 capacity lecture theater /auditorium, among others.

“We humble seek the support of donors, alumni and partners in these critical areas,” he appealed.

In speech by the UNN Vice-Chancellor, Prof Simon Ortuanya, delivered by the Dean (Ike-Eze), applauded Maculay’s resistance to colonial policies which helped laid the foundation for the eventual independence of Nigeria.

“In 1944, alongside Nnamdi Azikiwe, he co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroon (NCNC) and he served as its first president.

“The University of Nigeria has consistently recognized Maculay’s immense contributions, the faculty of engineering instituted the biennial lecture series to advance this recognition.

“I am confident that this forum will generate clear practical pathways for achieving sustainable engineering practices to support national development through the effective application of AI tools,” he said.

Delivering the 21 HMML Lecture, Mr Alex Onyia, an Engineer, and Chief Executive Officer of Educate Technologies Ltd, urged Nigeria Universities to embrace AI and digital learning as a way to move the country forward as well as enable our students to complete favorable with their counterparts globally.

Onyia alleged that most Ph.D thesis in Nigeria universities are only good for the shelves because they have not been deployed to solve a particular societal problems, this was even as he urged lecturers and education stakeholders to discourage rote learning and much emphasis on certificate.

“The era of rote learning and mere certificate acquisition over practical skill is over as the world today is driven by digital revolution, AI automation, and a shift toward skills-based learning.

“Modern employers demand demonstrable problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and applied knowledge.

“If we can not produce in Nigeria, we can design and produce in China, remember the concept of dual SIM card phone was okey designed in Nigeria and produced in China.

“I pay that this 21st HMML will give birth to the greatest transformation that has ever happened in the engineering faculty,” he said

Earlier, Chief Ikechukwu Ugwuegede, an alumnus of the Faculty of engineering, who chaired the occasion, said that the biennial lecture bears the name of a man whose contribution to Nigeria transcends engineering, stressing that Macaulay was not only an engineer but a surveyor, an architect, a nationalist and political pioneer who was rightly celebrated as the father of Nigerian Nationalism.

“His life reminds us that engineering is not merely a technical discipline, but a tool for societal transformation,” he said.

Speaking further Ugwuegede, who is a Special Adviser to the President of the Senate, and Non-Executive Commissioner at the Nigerian Communications Commission, Abuja, said “the true value of today’s gathering would not lie in fine speeches or captivating discussion, but lies in the emergence of implementable actionable ideas that could be incorporated into national plan of action.

“To remain relevant, the faculty must embrace a culture of continues reinvention, I am aware that the faculty has already begun this process by expanding its departments and updating its offerings in response to the needs of the day, which is commendable,”he said.

The highlight of occasion was given awards by the faculty to some Nigerians who distinguished themselves in their professions.

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